DIY Silent Watercooled HDD Enclosure.. Plan

**jellybeard999** · 06-06-2006, 03:49 AM

Anyone any ideas where id buy some copper block online (about 7" x 7"x 3/4" , 2 of those) in the uk ?

Is block what i should google, or is plate or something a better description ?

the plan is...

drill a block as above, channels with a large drill bit, tap where the drill enters the block with 1/4" tap, and add barbs or bungs where relevent (bungs would be countersunk) ... the small dots would be drilled through, and allow 4 HDDs to be screwed onto the plate, this would then be enclosed in a alu box, and completely matted with foam, with only a hole for the cables, and barbs exiting, would then be mounted in 3 5.25" bays...

would this VERY simple waterblock cool 4 drives ? Given no air would be circulating, and the drives would be cooled from the sides, and the tops would almost be touching...

does this sound a bit far fetched ?

Any better ideas, or anyone tried anything like this ?

**creidiki** · 06-06-2006, 03:54 AM

Youll need 1 on each side of the drives.

**jellybeard999** · 06-06-2006, 04:02 AM

Originally Posted by creidiki

Youll need 1 on each side of the drives.

hence why i said "2 of those" when i mentioned buying copper

think itd work ? i just want silence, without cooking the drives

**Fairydust** · 06-06-2006, 04:10 AM

That would work quite well, but be a bit heavy and require seriously expensive amounts of copper. I found these types of DIY coolers very cheap to make, and adequate performance.

**creidiki** · 06-06-2006, 04:12 AM

Cooling the drives from the sides works fine, theyre designed to transmit heat to the sides so they can dump it into their mounting - the question is will your block remove that heat efficiently?

if you can omit the lower crosshole that would be better, as right now if you ahve the vertical pipes an inlet and outlet you wouldnt cool too well, a water will just take the shortest path.

the best way would be to slice the block open and machine a channel inside, then seal it back closed with an o-ring, it shouldnt be a problem even with hand-controlled machinery as youre not looking to make tiny channels.

**jellybeard999** · 06-06-2006, 04:13 AM

they look nice... and would be easier

i know copper is expensive atm, but HOW expensive is expensive ?

is that just pipe brazed to the copper sheet ?

**Fairydust** · 06-06-2006, 04:27 AM

Well, dunno if you got a good metal suppllier, i would pay around 70-80 € + cutting for that quantity of copper. Your design would work just as well with just one crossdrill in the back making it a simple U form.

Ya the pipes are brazed to the mounting plate. Last one I did like this cost me around 25 € for a 4 Disk version with lots of pipe leftover (although copper was cheaper then).

**jellybeard999** · 06-06-2006, 04:29 AM

Originally Posted by Fairydust

Ya the pipes are brazed to the mounting plate. Last one I did like this cost me around 25 € for a 4 Disk version with lots of pipe leftover (although copper was cheaper then).

Well for that amount of pipe, i can get it for very little, i know a plumber

What thickness plate is it ? and diameter pipe ?

**Fairydust** · 06-06-2006, 04:44 AM

This guy seems to be using 10x12 mm pipes with a 2mm mounting plate. I used 12x15 mm with a 4 mm moutning plate. As long as the fitting fit inside and you can get it at a good price, it shouldn't matter too much.